Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

Jeremiah 30

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1-2 The Lord God of Israel said, "Jeremiah, get a scroll[a] and write down everything I have told you. 3 Someday I will let my people from both Israel[b] and Judah return to the land I gave their ancestors."4-5 Then the Lord told me to say to Israel and Judah:

I, the Lord, hear screams
of terror,
    and there is no peace.<
6 Can men give birth?
Then why do I see them
    looking so pale
and clutching their stomachs
    like women in labor?
7 My people, soon you will suffer
worse than ever before,
    but I will save you.

8 Now you are slaves
    of other nations,
but I will break the chains
and smash the yokes[c]
    that keep you in slavery.
9 Then you will be my servants,
and I will choose a king for you
    from the family of David.

10 Israel,[d] you belong to me,
    so don't be afraid.
You deserved to be punished;
that's why I scattered you
    in distant nations.
But I am with you,
and someday I will destroy
    those nations.
11 Then I will bring you
and your descendants
    back to your land,
where I will protect you
    and give you peace.
Then your fears will be gone.
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

The Lord Will Heal Israel and Judah

12 The Lord said:

My people, you are wounded
    and near death.
13 You are accused of a crime
    with no one to defend you,
and you are covered with sores
    that no medicine can cure.
14 Your friends have forgotten you;
    they don't care anymore.
Even I have acted like an enemy.
And because your sins
    are horrible and countless,
I will be cruel
    as I punish you.
15 So don't bother to cry out
    for relief from your pain.

16 But if your enemies try to rob
    or destroy you,
I will rob and destroy them,
and they will be led as captives
    to foreign lands.
17 No one wants you as a friend
    or cares what happens to you.
But I will heal your injuries,
    and you will get well.

The Lord Will Rescue Israel and Judah

18 The Lord said:

Israel, I will be kind to you
    and let you come home.
Jerusalem now lies in ruins,
but you will rebuild it,
    complete with a new palace.[e]
19 Other nations will respect
    and honor you.
Your homes will be filled
    with children,
and you will celebrate,
    singing praises to me.

20 It will be just like old times.
Your nation will worship me,
    and I will punish anyone
    who abuses you.
21 One of your own people
    will become your ruler.
And when I invite him
    to come near me
at the place of worship,
    he will do so.
No one would dare to come near
    without being invited.
22 You will be my people,
and I will be your God.
    I, the Lord, have spoken.

23 I am furious!
And like a violent storm
    I will strike those
    who do wrong.
24 I won't calm down
until I have finished
    what I have decided to do.
Someday, you will understand
    what I mean.

 
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